Check-writer.



L. M. TODD.

CHECK WRITER. APPLICATION FILED SEPT-22, I915- RENEWED JUNE 27. I917Patented Feb. 5, 1918.

3 SHEETSSHEET I- llWE/V TOR Zilwrms Todd L. M. TODD.

CHECK WRITER. APPLICATION FILED SEPT-22. 1915. RENEVIIED JUNE 27. 1917.

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LIBANUS M. TODD, OF ROCHESTER, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR,

BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS,

. T0 TODD PROTECTOGBAJPH COMPANY, 015 ROCHESTER, NEW YORK, A CORPORATTONOF NEW YORK.

CHECK-WRITER.

Application filed September 22, 1915, Serial No. 51,976. Renewed June27, 1M7.

To all whom it may concern."

Be it known that I, LIBANUS M. Tom), of Rochester, in the county ofMonroe and State of New York, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Check- Writers; and I do hereby declare the follow ingto be a full, clear, and exact description of the same, such as willenable any person skilled in the art to which the invention ap--pertains to make and use the same.

The present invention relates to printing machines, and moreparticularly to the kind commonly known as check protectors or -.checkwriters, which'are adapted for printing an inscription on a check in anindelible manner so as to protect the instrument against alteration. Oneobject of the invention is to provide a simple and convenient machine ofthis class having a great variety of printing characters affordingcapacity for printing on the check by an indelible form of impressionany inscription which it may be desired to Write.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear from thefollowing description of one embodiment of the invention illustrated in.the accompanying drawings, in which y Figure 1 is a top plan view ofthe machine partly broken away.

Fig. 2 is an elevation of the work receivingnside of the machine.

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of a portion of the machine with the upperpart of the easing swung open to expose interior parts.

Fig. 4 is a detail view, partly in section, of the type carrier and itsyoke.

Fig. 5 is a detail sectional elevation show ingthe type cylinder, yoke,and inking rolls.

Fig. 6 is a bottom plan view of the machine partly broken away.

Fig. 7 is a longitudinal sectional elevation the machine partly brokenaway, showing the platen controlling device.

Fig. 8 is a lateral sectional elevation of the machine on the line 8-8of Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a lateral sectional elevation on the line 9-9 of Fig. 7.

Fig. 10 is a projected view of a portion of the plate carrying the typeforms.

Fig. 11 is an enlarged detailed view of a portion of the device forcontrollmg the platen.

The

present invention is embodied in con- Specification of Letters Patent.

' a yoke 23 which is Patented Fetnfi, t lld.

Serial No. 177,404..

tion 15, and an upper portion, or housing 16, these parts beingseparated throughout a portion oi their length by a work receiving slot17 having a printing bed 18 on the top of the base portion of thecasing. These parts of the casing are normally in the position shown inFigs. 1 and 2, but the upper portion is adapted to be swung open, asillustrated in Fig. 3, for the purpose of affording access to theinterior parts, by means of a hinged connection 19 uniting the parts,and the latter are securely fixed together, in operating position, byany convenient means, such, for instance,.as the screw 20. (Fig. 7). Theprinting bed has an opening 21 above a small platen wheel 22 rotatablycarried by adjustably fixed to a shaft 24 extending longitudinally ofthe base portion of the casing and journaled in lugs depending from theprinting bed. The platen is adapted to be raised by a rocking motion ofthe shaft 24 for contact with type forms on a carrier supported in theupper portion of the casing, which will now be described.

Journaled at its ends in the end walls of the upper portion of thecasing is a shaft 25 upon which is mounted for sliding movementlongitudinally thereof, a type carrier 26 in the form of a portion of acylinder, but the type carrier is adapted to be rotated by the rotationof the shaft 25 through a key-27 (Fig. l) engaging in a .keyway 28 inthe shatt't. Spaced longitudinally of the carrier an tendingcircumferentially thereof, are

a 1 ality of type forms 29 adapted to be bro t by sliding movement ofthe type rier position to cooperate, select elv adapted to intermeshduring the printing mounted on the top of the yoke and engagingdepending guide flanges 34 (Fig. 8) extending longitudinally of andfixed to the upper portion of the casing. The means for shifting theyoke longitudinally of its shaft comprises a handle 35 fixed to the yokeby means of a plate which extends through the top of the casing oneither side, and has its ends turned over to form pointers 36 adapted tobe moved up and down adial, or index, 37, supported on the top of thecasing. By means of the handle 35 the pointers, which ,are in alinementlaterally of thedial, may be'moved up and down the latter and intolateral registry. with any one of a plurality of characters arranged incolumns on the dial and corresponding to type forms on the type carrier26. By this means the type carrier is moved, selectively, to bring anydesired "type form into position to cotiperate with the platenduring therevolution ofthe type carrier.

It will be understood that for each column of characters on the dial 37there is a corresponding column containingthe same type characters onthe carrierfi26, as illustrated in Fig. 10. The platen 22 is normallybelow the printing bed .and is raised through the opening 21 foreffecting an impression from the selected typeform as the latter rollspast during the rotation of the carrier. Since the type forms arearranged in columns extending longitudinally of the carrier with thecorresponding forms of the different columns in alinementcircumferentially of the carrier, means must be provided for selectivelytiming the raising of the platen, so that if the carrier has been movedlongitudinally to bring the circumferential. row of type forms whichcontains the selected character to position opposite the platen, thelatter may be moved into 1 exclusive contact with the selected type formWhile the latter is passing over the platen. In this way, only theselected type form of a circumferential row is printed, the platen beingin inoperative position while the other type forms in that row arerotating past it.

These means for controlling the time of operation of the platen comprisea sleeve 38 (Fig. 7) fixed at one end to the shaft 25, and carryingthree earns, 39, 40 and ll corundue friction of the parts.

responding, respectively, to the three col umns of type forms on thecarrier in order from left to right, as shown in Fig. 10. The shaft 24carries a sleeve 4L2 splined at 43 to the-shaft so as to be slidablelongitudinally of the shaft but fixed against rotation relativelythereto, and this sleeve carries an upwardly projecting arm rl; (Figs. 7and 9).

formed at its upper end for contact with the surfaces of the cams 39, toand t1. This arm is urged toward the cams by means of a spring 4:5 fixedto the arm and to the printing bed, but the movement of the arm in thisdirection is limited by means 'of a stop 46 fixed on the arm in positionto contact with the bottom of the printing bed, so as to allow the arm44: to contact with the high portions only of the cams and thus preventThe contact of stop 46 with the printing bed holds the top of the platennormally even with the ,top of the bed, but as the shaft 25 rotates,

and one of the cams contacts with the arm 44, the latter is oscillatedand the shaft 24: is rocked, thereby raising the platen into contactwith some of the type forms on the carrier. By the sliding movement ofthe sleeve 4L2, arm 44- is adapted to be shifted longitudinally of theshaft 25 to bring it,

selectively, into position to cooperate with one of the cams 39, 4:0 orll.

The means for shifting sleeve t2 comprises an arm 47 formed at its upperend to engage in an annular recess 48 in the sleeve, the arms beingfixed at one end of a short shaft 49 journaled inlugs depending from theprinting bed. The other end of the shaft 49 has fixed thereto an arm 50to which is pivotally attached a rod 51 extend ing longitudinally towardthe other end of the machine where it is connected to manipulativedevices which will now be described.

The manipulative means for connecting the platen operating device,selectively, with the cams 39, 40 and 41, and thus controlling theoperation of the platen to bring it, solectively and exclusively, intocoiiperation with the different columns of characters on the typecarrier, comprises a plurality of keys 52, 53 and 54 (Figs. 7 and 8)supported for vertical sliding movement in the base portion of thecasing and in a bracket 55 fixed to the side wall of the casing. Each ofthese keys is urged upwardly, so as to project above the printing bed,by means of a spring 56 hearing at one end against a bracket 55, and atthe other against a shoulder on the key. Each key is provided with a pin57 extending from either side thereof and adapted to contact with acurved cross bar of a T-shaped member 58. (Fig. 7) which is pivoted at59 to the bracket The rod 51 is pivoted at 60 to the T-shaped member 58,and it will be apparent from ate,

the shape out the curved cross bar of this member that when the key 53is depressed its pin 57 will bring the member 58 to a central positionso that the cross bar is substantially horizontal, and by meansot therod 51 and connected devices, the arm t4 will be brought opposite thecentral can] wing so as to have a with I ward the right in Fig. '63attached to the plate and to the casing,

lit will be apparent, however, that when either of the keys 52 br .54 isdepressed, the corresponding end of the cross bar of mem-v her 58 willbe lowered, rocking the member about its pivot, and through the rod 51,sliding the arm 44 into position to cooperate cams 39 or' 41corresponding with keys 52 and 5.4 respectively.

I eans is provided for retaining any one of the keys in lowered positionand for releasing such key when another one is depressed, comp'rising'aplate 61 supported on the side wall of the base portion of the cassmalllongitudinal sliding movement. This plateis provided on its lower edgewith a plurality of oblique hooks or teeth 62adapted for cooperationwith the pins'57 on the keys. Plate 61 is urged to- 7 by means of springand the relative position of the plate and keys is such that when one ofthe keys is depressed its pin 57 engaging the correspondin g tooth 62 ofthe plate slides the lat- 'ter toward the left againstthe tension of thespring. When the key is fully depressed, the'plate slides toward theright, and the lower edge of the hook, engaging over the pin of the key,retains it in lowered position pgainst the tension of its spring 56,thus the ' olding the'arm 44 fixed in position to cooperate with theselected cam. key be now depressed, the plate 61 will be moved towardthe left, releasing the key previously depressed, which is returned toits upper position by itsspring, and when the new key is fully depressedthe plate will move toward the right, locking in turn in operativeposition. Thus any one of the keys 52, 53 and 54 may be depressed at anytime to connect the platen operating devices with cams 39, 40 and 41respectively, to bring the platen into cooperation, selectively andexclusively, with the columns of characters on the type carrier fromleft to right respectively, as seen in Fig. 10.

The means for rotating shaft 25 a gear 64 (Fig. 3) fixed to said shaftand meshing with a gear 65 fixed to a short shaft 66 journaled in theupper portion of the casing and extending cxtoriorly thereof, where ithas fixed thereto a crank 67 carry ing an o crating handle 08. Eachrevolution of the crank produces one rotation of type carrier operation.

Means are provided for holding the work against inadvertent movement onthe print- If another .journaled at their comprises v yieldahly heldbetween these fingers and the roller. In order to raise the fingers topermit the insertion or withdrawal of the paper, the plate 70 isprovided with a leaf 72 with which engages the hooked end of a spindle73, journaled inbra'ckets 74 on the casing and having fixed at its otherend'an arm 75, to which is pivoted an irregular member 76. The lattermember extends aroundthe shaft 25 and to the top of the casing, where itis provided with a plunger 77 extending through the latter and servingas a manual means by the depression of which the fingers 69 may beraised from the roller 71. The resilience of these hold the plunger,position.

As the type characters and platen are provided with cooperatingserrations adaptor fingerpiece, 77, in raised fingers serves normally toed to be brought into mesh during the printadapted during the period ofcontact of the type and platen to raise the dog 78 so that its beveledupper edge engages the pivoted teeth of a rack, or comb, 83, fixed tothe casing, and thereby centers and locks the type in printing position.

The means for inking the type forms comprises a pair of inking rollers84 and 85' ends in bearings carried by arms 86 (Fig. 5) pivotallysupported at either end of the yoke 30. Springs 87'urge these rollersinto the path of rotation of the type forms so that they roll over thesurface of the latter during the rotation of the typocarrier previous tothe impression of the type on the paper.

The operation of the machine will now be understood from a briefdescription. If it is desired to print an amount key 52 is depressed.If, however, it be desired to print a name. using the alphabet column oftype, key is depressed, and if itbe desired to print a date, key 54 isdepressed. The check having been placed on the printing bed with itsleft end. between the type andplatcn, the carrier is movedlongitudinally of the machine by means of the handle 35 to bring thepointers 36 into lateral alincment with the particular type form desiredto be prmted.

carrier yoke and normally latter absorbs the ink and an indelibleimpression is made. The next character is then selected and printed in asimilar manner until the inscription is complete.

This invention provides a machine which. may be used to print upon acheck any de sired inscription, whether it be the date, the name of thepayee, or the amount for which the instrument is drawn; also, by meansof the alphabet, any Word may be printed which it is not convenient toprovide as an entirety among the type characters. The machine is assimple in construction and op eration as the ordinary check writingmachine, and yet atl'ords, in a novel and convenient form, thewideirange of printing characters and capacity for work found in thetypewriter, while providing also the additional feature of impressingeach character indelibly on paper. Y

Having thus described filly invention, what I claim as new, and desireto secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a printing apparatus, a type carrier having a plurality of typesarranged in longitudinal and transverse rows, a platen comprising animpression roller adapted for rolling printing contact with each of saidtypes individually, said carrier and platen having a relative movementto select one of said transverse rows of types for cooperation with theplaten, and having also a relative printing movement to bring the typesof said selected transverse row and the platen into rolling contact, anda plurality of ma nipulative means for moving said carrier and platenrelatively toward and from each. other at different times during saidrelativeprinting movement thereof, to select any type of said selectedtransverse row for contact with the platen.

2. In a check protecting machine, the combination with a rotary typecarrier having a plurality of types arranged in longitudinal andcircumferential rows thereon; and a single impression roller adapted forindividual contact with said types, said carrier and platen having arelative movement to select a circumferential row of types, and havingalso a relative printing move ment to bring the platen and the types ofsaid selected row into rolling contact; of a plurality of manipulativemeans for moving said carrier and platen relatively toward and from eachother at different times during said relative printing movement thereofto bring selectlvely into contact with said platen any type form of aselected circumferential row. i

3. In a printing apparatus, a type carrier having thereon a plurality oftype forms arranged in spaced relation and in alinement with each otherto form a plurality of groups, a platen common to all of said type formsand movable toward and from said carrier for individual coifipcra tionwith said type forms, means for moving said carrier to select one ofsaid groups of type forms for cooperation wits the platen, means formoving said carrier to of feet printing contact between the type formsand platen, and a plurality of manipulative means for varying the timeof movement of the platen relative to said printing movement of thecarrier to bring the platen into printing contact with any one of thetype forms of said selected group.

4. In a printing appa atus, a type carrier having thereon a plurality oftype forms arranged in spaced relation and in alinemcnt with each otherto form a plurality of groups, an impression roller adapted tor rollingprinting contact individually "with each of said type forms, and movableinto and out of position for coeperation with said type forms, means formoving said carrier to select one of said groups of type forms forcodperation with the platen, means for moving said carrier to effectsaid rolli printing contact between the type tiorms platen, andmanipulative means including a plurality of keys for varying the time ormovement of the platen relative to said printing movement of the carrierto brin, the platen into printing contact with any one of the type formsof said selected group. p

5. In a printing apparatus, a rotary type carrier having a plurality oftype; forms arranged in a plurality of rows, an impression rolleradapted for individual rolling printing contact with each of said typeforms, said carrier and platen having a relative movement to select oneof said rows for co operation with the platen, means for rotating saidcarrier to bring the type forms of said selected row into rollingcontact with the platen, and a plurality of manipulative means i'ormoving said carrier and platen relative toward and from each other atditt'erent times during the rotation of the car- Iier for selecting anyone of the type forms of said selected row for contact with the platen.

LIBANUS M. TODD.

Witnesses:

CHARLns G. TIEFEL, MAGNUS H. JoHAnson.

lOli

